Face Value was released on 13 February 1981 on the Virgin label internationally and Atlantic in North America. The album topped the UK Album Chart on its initial release and was well-received by critics.The idea behind the cover for the album was born out of the thought that Collins wanted to show what was going on inside his own head at the time. He felt that a close-up shot of his face would convey the emotion he was going for. Many of the songs were inspired by Collins' first divorce. Collins has stated that he never intended to make a solo record; he was simply attempting to deal with the grief after his wife left him for another man. It wasn't until he played the demo tapes for then Atlantic owner Ahmet Ertegun that he was told the songs were good enough to be released as an album.Other songs on the album are the up tempo I Missed Again, and the much sadder If Leaving Me Is Easy featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Eric Clapton was also featured on slide guitar on an early demo of the track The Roof Is Leaking, but Collins writes in his autobiography that he was never satisfied with the outcome of that song at the time. Upon reflection, Collins stated that he "should have just let Eric be Eric", rather than try to force his will upon him. The song was ultimately re-recorded with guitarist Jo Partridge, but the original demo can be found on the compact disc version of the 2015 remaster Face Value.The album also features a cover of The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows", which included instruments and vocals playing in reverse while Collins provided multi-layered background vocals and sparse drumming. After the song ends, Collins can be heard quietly singing Over the Rainbow in reference to the recent murder of John Lennon. This final song is unlisted on most releases of the album (the original US cassette version being an exception), and would be the only time Collins used a "hidden" track on one of his own releases.
 
In The Air Tonight 5:27
This Must Be Love 3:55
Behind The Lines 3:54
The Roof Is Leaking 3:15
Droned 2:49
Hand In Hand 5:20
I Missed Again 3:40
You Know What I Mean 2:33
Thunder And Lightning 4:11
I'm Not Moving 2:30
If Leaving Me Is Easy 4:54
Tomorrow Never Knows 4:18
Over The Rainbow